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I 



THE PRIZE ESSAY 

or "Boy Wanted" 




BECKLEY- ORDY COMPANY 

Chicago 



THE PRIZE ESSAY 

OR, "BOY WANTED" 



A COMEDY FOR GIRLS 
IN TWO ACTS 



BY 



EDITH F. A. U. PAINTON 




his 



BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY 
CHICAGO 



P5 353I 
, f\ Z.% P75 



Copyright, 11)16, by 
BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY 




M 28 1916 

®CU J 108.9 7 



CHARACTERS 



Kate A Student at Blankville High School 

Ora Her Sister 

Hester Rival of Kate 

Joy Ora's Chum 

Carrie A Gypsy Pro-temporary 

Susan. . . ._ Maid at the Home of Kate and Ora 

Marie 

Clara !- Just Students 

Ella 



Place : Blankville 

Time: Near Commencement 

Time of Playing: About One Hour 



SYNOPSIS 

Act I — In the Wood. Afternoon. The Mischief on foot. 

Act II — Parlor at the home of Kate and Ora. Evening. The 
mischief iinclerfoot. 



COSTUMES 

Students : Act I — School costumes, to suit. Act II — Dainty 
evening dress. 

Carrie: Disguised as gypsy, faded calico wrapper, old- 
fashioned shawl, mask. Hobbles about on cane, speaks in 
high, cracked, trembling falsetto tone. 



SYNOPSIS FOR PROGRAM 

Act I. Hester meets her conscience, — also Carolina, — and 
a plot unfolds. The girls bewail their lack of boys, and have 
their fortunes told. Kate and Susan search for the lost essay. 
Kate is given a false clew, and Susan accuses the gypsy of 
kidnaping. "Stolen!" 

Act II. A class reception with a missing hostess. "Boy 
Wanted!" Kate learns where her essay is hidden, and both 
Carrie and Hester repent, confess, and are forgiven. A fore- 
cast of the future. "Come right in, boys!" 



STORY OF THE PLAY 

Hester, through jealousy, secretes the essay Kate has written 
to submit in a prize contest, under a rug in her room, and 
persuades Carrie, disguised as a gypsy, to send her out on a 
false search until too late to enter the paper in the contest. 
The plan works well until Carrie's conscience impels her to 
confession, when Hester repents, and all is forgiven and 
forgotten. 

Susan, the maid, who has no taste for grammar, but a 
decided taste for boys, furnishes the comedy. 



PROPERTIES 

Handkerchief and book for Hester; basket of pink roses 
and watch, for Ora ; cane, shawl, small twig for Carrie ; apron, 
cap, small mirror, dust-cloth, and sign, ''Boy Wanted" for 
Susan. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS 

E. means right of stage; C, center; R. C, right center; 
L., left. The actor is supposed to be facing the audience. 



■ 



1 



THE PRIZE ESSAY 

ACT I 

Scene: A icood. Log near hack. 

Hester, discovered, pacing hack and forth, looking anx- 
iously and nervously in all directions. 

Hester. Why doesn't she come? She said she would be sure 
to be here early, and it seems as though I have been 
waiting for hours already. But I suppose I haven't. 
[Pause, still walking hack and forth uneasily] Dear me! 
how my heart beats! It's the hardest work in the world 
to be really downright wicked! I'm almost tempted to 
back out even now! If it wasn't that Kate is always 
winning all the honors of the class, I'd run and dig up 
her old essay this very minute, and clear my skirts of the 
whole deal before it is too late! But— [>Sfefs teeth firmly 
together] I won't! I just won't! If it wasn't for her, 
I'd win at least ''Honorable Mention" now and then, and 
I'm going to, too, this time! So, there, Mr. Conscience, 
just you ' ' get thee behind me ! ' ' But ! what would the 
teachers say if they knew what a wicked, wicked girl they 
are harboring here at Blankville High School? But they 
shan't know ! No, sir ! [Walks to R.] 
Carrie enters L., hohhling in on cane, follows Hester 
stealthily to B., lays hand on arm, speaks in cracked 
voice. 

Carrie. Not so fast, my pretty little lady ! 

Hester [screams]. 0-o-o-o-h! [Carrie laughs a mocking 
laugh in her cracked voice. Hester slowly recovers] How 

7 



8 THE PRIZE ESSAY 

you did frighten me, Carrie — or — I mean — Carolina ! 

You 're great ! 
Carrie. So you think I '11 do, eh ? 
Hester. Do ? You 're simply perfect ! Now don 't forget your 

part! 
Carrie. Trust me for that. 
Hester. Remember, now, she must be sent far enough away 

to keep her from getting back home in time to find her 

essay, — right, of course, where she herself left it, you 

imderstancl, — [Carrie nods tvisely] in time to hand it 

in before the time is up. 
Carrie [after uneasy paiise'\. I wish — 
Hester [sharply]. Wish what? 
Carrie [hesitatingly']. Wish^you — had somebody else to — 

to — do your dirty work. 
Hester. Dirty work? Why, it's only a little fun! 
Carrie. Fun ? 
Hester. Of course. Isn't it as much fun to play gypsy as it 

was to act darky in — 
Carrie [looking around apprehensively]. 'Sh ! 
Hester. pshaw! There's nobody anywhere near, and the 

trees have no ears. Of course it's just a joke. 
Carrie. Humph ! Well, I only hope the rest will see the joke. 
Hester. They will, — when it's over. I tell you it doesn't 

amount to anything. I've just got a little grudge toward 

Kate, and I want to get even with her. See? 
Carrie. Wish you could do it alone ! 
Hester. Well, I can't, and I need you. 
Carrie. But — 
Hester [sharply]. You're not thinking of backing out, are 

you? 
Carrie [hesitatingly]. N-o-o-o-o ! — only — 
Hester. Because I wouldn't advise you to, you know. If I 

should tell ]\Iiss Norton how I saw you hiding down in 

the hall after she had sent you — 
Carrie [looking around uneasily, as if afraid some one woidd 

hear]. Don't, Hester! I'll do the best I can. I like a 



THE PRIZE E8l^AY 

joke as well as anyone, but it seems to me this might be 
carrying it a little too far, and I wouldn't really hurt 
Kate for the world. 

Hester. Of course not. Neither would I. 

Carrie [pointedly]. Are you sure? 

Hester. Sure. 

Carrie. But what 's the great hurry about it ? 

Hester. Well, the teachers are very particular about the time, 
and refuse to allow one extra minute after nine-thirty 
to-night. [Carrie nods] We're all so inclined to put 
off doing everything until the very last minute that they 
are determined to cure us of the habit this time, once and 
for all. 

Carrie. I see. [Pause] Well, — I '11 fix her. 

Hester. And, Carolina, if you ever dare to tell — 

Carrie. Tell? Me tell? 

Hester. Somebody might scare you into it. [Walks L., 
listens] 

Carrie [laughs harsJdy]. 'Twould be easier to scare me out 
of it. [Laughter out L. Carrie starts and looks out L., 
apprehensively] I'd be too much afraid of everybody and 
everything to squeal on you, when it would only mean 
giving myself away the cheapest. [Laughter out L., 
nearer-] 

Hester [uneasily]. Here comes somebody, — right this way, 
too. You'd better hide for a little while. It's too light 
yet for you to show yourself to advantage. 

Carrie, [mockingly]. Yes, lady. [Hobbles off R.] 

.Hester. dear ! I wonder who it is. I hope they won 't see 
how guilty I feel. [Rubs cheeks with handkerchief] Am 
I blushing, I wonder? My cheeks feel so hot. O dear, 
dear me! I don't like to feel so — so — so uncomfortable. 
If I ever get out of this scrape, I'll— I'll— I'll—well, I'll 
try to be good. [Laughter off L. again] There! they're 
surely coming. I'll just sit down and pretend to be study- 
ing. '[Sits on log, opens book, reads] 

Ora enters L., with large basket of pink roses. 



10 TEE PRIZE ESSAY 

Ora. Hurry up, Joy, here's a nice place to sit. If we don't 

hurry, we won't get our wreaths all made before the 

reception to-night. 

Joy enters. 
Joy. I know. Aren't you glad that we've chosen the pink 

rose for our class flower? Why, here's Hester! 
Ora. Hello, Hester. What are you doing? 
Hester [sarcastically]. Playing the piano. Can't you see? 

[Girls laugh] 
Joy. You seem to have an unusually industrious streak, 

Hester. 
Ora. Yes, and good-natured one, too! Better hippety-hop 

to the candy shop, and get something to sweeten yourself 

up. [Sits on log, sorting roses for wreath] You must 

have been feasting on pickles or sauerkraut this afternoon. 
Hester. Humph ! 
Joy. If you stay here, you can help us make these wreaths. 

[Sits by Ora and begins to work] 
Hester [sarcastically] . Thanks ! So kind of you ! 
Ora. Oh, no charge! — if you'll be careful not to spoil them. 
Joy. Have you handed in your essay for the contest, yet, 

Hester? 
Hester, Of course. Haven't you? 
Joy. Oh, yes. But, of course, we girls don't stand any kind 

of show with you and Kate ! 
Hester [scornfully]. Kate? I don't see why she always has 

to take every prize. 
Ora. She doesn't have to, — but she almost always does. Dear 

old sis ! As Susan says, ' ' She don 't seem to know nothing 

about failing, noway." 
Joy [laughing]. Will you never teach that maid of yours to 

speak correctly ? 
Ora, I 'm afraid not ! She has a weakness for grammar. But 

she's great fun. 
Hester. Well, I, for one, will be glad when school is over, and 

we won 't any of us have to worry about our language and 

deportment, and all that. 



S 



TEE PRIZE ESSAY 11 

Ora mid Joy. "Why, Hester ! 

Hester. Won't youf 

Ora. Not I ! 

Joy. Nor I ! I want to enjoy every minute of it while I can. 

Ora. I do wish we weren't such a '^hen party" of a class, 
though. [Sighs] If we only had ^'just one boy!" 

Joy and Hester. O, Ora ! 

Ora. Well, don't you? 

Joy [hashfidly]. Well — maybe — a little. 

Ora. Thought so ! A boy would add such distinction, — and 
be such a protection, — and — and — all that, you know. 
Susan's always bewailing our lack of boys. "You ain't 
never going to do nothing big, noways, without no boys ! ' ' 
she says. 

Hester [sarcastically] . And I suppose your maid runs the 
house ! 

Ora. Oh well, she helps a lot. We could hardly get along 
without Susan ! 

Joy. But I think our not having any boys is a strong argu- 
ment for the superiority of women. It shows how much 
smarter we girls are than the boys, you see. We graduate, 
— they ''quituate." 

Ora [laughi^ig]. That's good! I must tell Susan about 
that. 

Hester [scornftdly] . Susan ! Humph ! 

Carrie hohhles hack in R. 

Carrie. Pretty ladies, let the old gypsy tell your fortunes. 

Girls [jumping up] . 0-o-o-h ! 

Hester [turns away]. Mercy. 

Carrie. Don't be afraid. The old gypsy likes pretty little 

ladies. 
Ora. And can you really tell fortunes? 
Carrie. Try me. 
Joy. But we have no money. 
Carrie. Thefi give me just a rose. Nolbody ever gives old 

Carolina any roses now. Once, when she was young and 



12 THE PRIZE E^SSAY 

pretty like you, many roses fell in her path. Now, — 
[Pauses, shakes head sadly] 

Ora [while selecting rose]. You poor soul! Of course you 
shall have a rose. These pink roses are the emblem of our 
class at school, you know, and they mean a great deal to 
us, because they express our motto, — ''Noblesse oblige!" 
[Pirn rose on Carrie] "Nobility brings obligations," you 
know! [Stands hack to admire effect of rose] See! what 
a pretty one ! 

Carrie [repeats slowly, with air of guilt, glancing uneasily over 
shoulder at Hester]. ''Nobility — brings obligations!" 

Joy. Yes, isn't that a splendid motto? It is to that one pur- 
pose that our lives are to be given. But do tell our for- 
tunes, now. 

Carrie. Give me your hand. [Studies it silently. Hester 
starts off L.] 

Ora. Where are you going, Hester? 

Hester. To school. I have to study once in a while, — if you 
don't! [Exit L.] 

Ora. Wonder what's gone wrong with Hester to-day! It's 
not a bit like her to be so cross and — and — disagreeable. 

Joy. Oh, she probably feels out of sorts about the essay 
contest. She's always jealous of Kate, you know. 

Ora. Well, she ought to be. Kate is sure to get the prize. 
She 's the smartest girl in all the state, — if I do say it ! 

Carrie [tracing lines of Joy^s hand with little twig]. I see 
you in a big crowd, — soon, — very soon, — ^much noise, — 
much laugh, — many girls, — no boys. 

Ora. Humph ! Must be the reception to-night. 

Carrie. Much worry, — ugh ! — tears, too ! — many tears from 
pretty eyes, — some storm, — then many smiles, — and much 
joy! 

Ora. Great time you're in for, Joy ! 

Joy. Do keep still, Ora. Let her go on. 

Carrie. Much eat, too! 

Ora [smacking lips]. Of course. There's always "much eat" 
when the girls get a chance at divinity and fudge. 



\ 



THE PRIZE ESSAY 13 

Carrie. You study much — do work, much work — don't much 

like figures, and them funny criss-cross lines, and round 

circles. 
Or a. Geometry, Joy ! 
Joy [to Ora]. Now, how do you suppose she found that out? 

I was just hoping that Miss Norton would forget about 

the problems to-night. 
Ora. She read your mind, Joy. Isn 't she wonderful ? 
Joy [to Carrie]. Go on, please. 
Carrie. I see in the far future much sun, — much riches, — 

great things. A nice little home, — a big, brave, handsome 

husband,— much joy. Yes? That's all for the pretty 

lady. 
Joy. Thank you. 
Ora. It's certainly enough for one pretty lady. [Extends 

hand to Carrie] What do you see for me, please? 
Carrie. Big place, — school, — much noise, — many children, — 

girls, — boys, too, — you teacher. Yes? 
Ora. Perhaps. 
Carrie. You have a sister, — beauty, — good, — wise, — trouble 

coming, — black clouds. 
Ora. To Kate ! Oh, surely not to Kate ! 
Carrie. Much tears, — something lost, — something white, — 

make many worries ! 
Ora [drawing hand away]. I — guess — that will do. Let's go 

home, Joy, right away. She frightens me. What could 

happen to Kate? Dear old Kate! Hurry. [Runs off K.] 
Joy [to Carrie]. What made you tell her that? 
Carrie [shaking head mysteriously]. The old gypsy has to tell 

what she sees. 
Joy. dear! dear! [Calls R.] Wait for me, Ora. I'm 

coming! I'll never have my fortune told again, never, 

never, never. [Exits R.] 
Carrie. Poor girls ! I wish I hadn 't frightened them. I let 

my tongue get away from me that time. But why did I 

let Hester work me into this business anyway? I never 

felt so mean in my life, — never! But if I back out now, 



14 TEE PRIZE ESSAY 

she'll tell Miss Norton about — hist! somebody coming! 
[Sits on log with hack to audience, and mutters to herself, 
marking on ground with cane and cautiously looking to 
see what is going on] 

Kate enters R. 

Kate. Hurry up, Susan. We must find that essay. I would 
rather lose almost anything else I have in the world. 

Susan enters. 

Susan. Yes, Miss Kate. I ain't so slow now, be I? 

Kate. Susan ! Susan ! Such language ! You must say, 

' ' I am not so slow now, am I ? " 
Susan. Well, I did say, '*I am't so slow now, be I?" — didn't 

I, Miss Kate? 
Kate. Dear me, yes! That's just exactly what you did say, 

Susan, and what I don't want you to say. 
Susan [innocently]. Why, come now. Miss Kate, didn't you 

not say, just this very minute, that I should ought to say 

it that way ? 
Kate. Well, never mind. I must find that paper, whether 

you learn to talk properly or not. 
Susan. In course, Miss Kate. You can't never make nothing 

out of me, nohow, but just plain Susan. 
Kate [searching ground] . I must have lost it on the way home 

from school. It couldn't have got out of my composition 

book any other way. 
Susan [helping her search]. I shouldn't ought to be so far 

from home, noways, with but just my cap and apron on. 
[Fauses, taking small mirror from pocket of apron and 

looking at reflection, smiles with satisfaction] 
Kate. you're all right, Susan. You're not apt to meet Pete 

on this street anyway. 
Susan [protesting archly] . Miss Kate I 
Kate. And if you do, he likes your cap and apron, — with you 

inside it. 
Susan. Miss Kate ! 



TEE PRIZE ESSAY 15 

Kate. If Mamma wasn't so sick that it would be such a shock 
to her if I didn't win the prize, — Dr. Erwin said she 
mustn't be shocked or grieved in any way, you know, — 
and if Papa hadn 't promised me that trip to the beach 
this summer if I did win, — why, — why, — well, I don't 
think I 'd care so much, but as it is — 

Susan. Of course, Miss Kate, you wouldn't never care noth- 
ing about it, then. 

Kate [points L.]. You go over there, Susan, and hunt every- 
where. I'll see if I can't find some sign of it here. 

Susan. All right. Miss Kate. 

Kate. Don't overlook it, 

Susan. No, I won't never do that, nohow. Miss Kate. [Starts 
L.y turns hack at entrance] The idee, anyway, of a class 
that ain't got no boys in it to protect 'em, and wait on 
'em! They might o' knowed they couldn't do nothing, 
nohow, without no boys ! [Exits L.] 

Kate. And on the subject of our class motto, too, — "Noblesse 
oblige.'^ And now to have it lost! to have it not even 
have a chance to do any good, — to have all the teachers 
think that I was disobedient in not writing it, or else 
careless in losing it, — how can I stand it? [Sits near 
front, weeping] 

Carrie [has kept her head howed almost to the ground in order 
to keep out of sight. Now looks hack over shoidder at 
Kate, shaking head guiltily, and muttering to herself] 
' ' Nobility — brings — obligations ! ' ' 

Kate. When we chose the blue and white for our colors, — the 
blue for truth, and the white for purity, we meant that 
every one of us should live ever and always to the one 
end as voiced in our motto, realizing to the full the obliga- 
tions nobility always brings. 

Carrie [as hefore]. "Nobility — brings — obligations!" 

Kate. I have tried ! I have tried ! [After pause, rises] But 
I have no time to waste in tears. I must find it. [Goes 
to log hy Carrie to look for it] I must ! I must ! 

Carrie [rising and facing Kate] . Is the pretty lady in trouble ? 



16 THE PRIZE ESSAY 

Kate. 0-0-0-0-h ! 

Carrie. Don't be afraid of me, pretty lady. I'm a good 

gypsy, and I tell people their fortunes, and help them out 

of their troubles, like all good gypsies do. Can't I help 

you, pretty lady? 
Kate. Oh, I wonder if you could! If you only, only 

could ! 
Carrie. I am sure I could. Let me see what is in your hand. 

[Looks at hand] I see trouble, — a white paper, — much 

writing, — pretty writing, — lost, — yes, — lost on the way to 

the big brick store. 
Kate [eagerly]. Oh, I had forgotten. I did go to that store 

before I went home. I did ! I did ! 
Carrie. Wait ! I see it lying,r— all folded up so nice, with its 

pretty black writing, — right down between two stones, 

near where the water flows, — trickle, — trickle, — trickle, — 

trickle, — 
Kate. Oh, if it should get wet ! I must hurry ! [Tries to jnill 

hand away] 
Carrie. No, no ! It will lie very still and quiet so nobody 

else will see it till the pretty lady comes, — for it loves 

the pretty lady, and is going to win for her a prize, — O 

lovely prize! — 
Kate [all excitement]. Oh! Oh! Let me go! Let me go! 

Quick! [Runs off B.] 
Carrie. She 's safe now, — for hours ! 
Susan [co7nes in L. hastily]. Did you call. Miss Kate? 
Carrie. Ugh ! 
Susa7i. Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! Who are you ? and where is Miss 

Kate? 
Carrie. I am a gypsy, of course, — where are your eyes? 

[Susan puts fingers to eyes] And what do I know about 

your Miss Kate? 
Susan. You've just gone and stealed her, so you have! I've 

hear'd what you gypsies be always up to doing. And I'll 

just have you arrested, and locked up in a jail, so I will. 

Help! Help! Help! 



THE PRIZE ESSAY 17 

Class [off L., yelling]. What's the fuss? 
U— s— Us ! 

Blankville High School — 
That's the fuss. 

Carrie tries to run. 

Susan [catching hold of her]. No, you don't, old woman, 
noways! — not never till you tell me where Miss Kate be 
gone to. 

Marie, Clara, and Ella enter L. 

Marie. "1 

Clara. I What's the fuss? 

Ella. J 

Ella. Susan. 

Marie. What is it? 

Clara. What's wrong? 

Susa7i. Miss Kate is stolen by gypsies ! 

Marie. Kate ? 

Clara. Stolen ? 

Ella. Gypsies ? 

Susa7i. Yes, stole by gypsies. She was right here just a 

minute ago to look for her paper, and new she just ain't 

nowhere. 
Ella. Her paper ? 
Marie. What paper? 
Clara. Looking for what? 
Susan. Why, her essay. 
All. What? 
Susan. Her prize essay that was — 

Hester runs in L. 

Hester. What's all this fuss about? Quarreling? 

Ora runs in R., followed by Joy. 

Ora. Kate ! Kate ! [Looks all around group in surprise] 

Why, isn't Kate here? 
Susan. No, Miss Ora, she just ain't nowhere. 



18 THE PRIZE ESSAY 

Joy. What? Isn't anywhere? 

Susan. She's just been and got stole by gypsies, Miss Ora^ and 

here is one of the wretched thieves now. 
Girls [together, in horror] . Stolen ! 

All gather around Carrie in amazement and curiosity. Carrie 
suddenly raises head and points an accusing finger 
at Hester, who drops head and turns guiltily 
away. Hold pose for curtain. 

CURTAIN 



^ 



1 



ACT II 

Scene : Parlor at the home of Kate and Ora. 

Susan discovered alone, dusting furniture. After business, 
pauses, standing with hands on hips, surveying 
the room critically. 

Susan. There! I reckon this room is plenty clean enough to 
suit them young ladies now. It'll look like a cyclone had 
struck it anyway, before the blowout's over, with all the 
monkey-shines they be forever cutting up ! The idee, any- 
ways, of a reception without no boys to it ! I 've jest got 
a good sound notion to get some boys to come in anyways. 
But how? [Thinks] I know. I'll jest get that sign 
Mr. Brown had up to his office window, and I'll stick it 
right up here. That '11 bring 'em. It brung him an office 
boy quick enough, and it '11 bring boys to these here doings, 
sure. [Gets sign, "Boy W anted,'' and hangs in window, 
then stands hack, surveying it proitdly] That looks like 
business, it do, for a fact. It's just alike on both sides, 
too, so everybody outside can tell what it says. [Sighs] 
If Miss Kate was only found ! It 's her what 's worrying 
me, most of everything. If there was just one boy in the 
class, I'd send him in a jiffy to look her up. But — [Sighs] 
— dear! If that old gypsy hadn't got away so slick, 
I 'd ' known where she 'd been an ' gone to. But she swore 
nobody hadn't been stealing Miss Kate noways. She said 
if we'd jest wait, she'd be coming home all right, and so, 
like plumb id jits, we let her get away. And no Miss Kate 
yet ! dear ! O dear ! 

19 



20 . THE PRIZE ESSAY 



Ora enters C. 



Ora. Hasn 't ^liss Kate come home yet, Susan ? 

Susan. No, Miss Ora. I ain't saw no signs of her nowhere. 

Ora. You meant to say, ''I haven't seen any sign of her any- 
where," didn't you, Susan? 

Susan. Well, ain't that what I said? — ''I ain't saw no signs 
of her nowhere. ' ' 

07'a. But that isn 't what I said. I said — 

Susan. Never you mind, Miss Ora. You jest can't never 
learn me no grammar, noways. I wasn 't never meant for 
no edicated young lady. I jest got to talk 'Nited States 
like it's spoke by common folks. [Looks at Ora admir- 
ingly] My ! how sweet you be in them fine togs o' yourn ! 

Ora [hows loiv]. Thank you, Susan. 

Snsan. "Well, I must jest run upstairs now, and see if the 
bedrooms be in good fix for them girls to lay their duds 
off in.- [Exits B.] 

Ora. Dear me ! That Susan ! She never will learn to speak 
properly. [Sees sign] Well, I declare! If Papa hasn't 
got his sign up here ! Wonder what in the world he wants 
with a boy here at home. [Sighs] I do wish Kate would 
come home. She was so anxious to have the class recep- 
tion here. If she doesn't hurry, she won't have time to 
dress before the other girls get here. [Loud ring of hell 
at L.] Dear me! There they come now. [Laughter out 
L.] If Kate was only here! 

Enters Susan, ushering in Hester, Joy, ]\Iarie, ClxVra 
and Ella, all laughing, L. 

Susan. Here be the bunch, ]\Iiss Ora. [Exits L.] 

Ora. Quite a Susanic announcement, girls. But I'm very 

glad to welcome you. 
Joy. Why, where is Kate? 
Ora. Not home yet. 
All [in amazement]. What? [Ora shakes head. All look at 

one another in consternation] Oh, dear! 



THE PRIZE EHf<AY 



21 



Hester drops head, and walks about room, examining things 
and acting abstracted and ill at ease, during 
all of following dialogue. 
Jog. Where can she be? [Sits] 
Ella. Was she stolen, Ora? [8its[ 
Marie. Co ?^/f/ she have been? [Sits] 
Clara. What do you honestly think, Ora ? [Sits] 
Ora. Oh, I don't know! I don't know! I've almost stopped 

trying to think. [Sits] 
All. Dear old Kate ! 
Ora. Where's Carrie? 
All. I don't know. 
Clara. I haven't seen her to-day. 
Ella. She'll probably be along after a while. 
Joy. It's a habit of hers to be late, you know. 
Ora. Why don't you sit down, Hester? 
Hester. Oh, I don't know. Been sitting around pretty nearly 

all day. Thought I 'd rather use my feet a little. " 
Ora [looks at icatch]. Almost eight o'clock! I do wish Kate 

would come. Let's go into the sitting-room, and practice 

our class song a little. 
All [rising]. Good! 

Ora leads off R. and all but Hester follow. 

Hester [alone]. Eight o'clock, she says! Only an hour and 
a half more, and the contest will be closed. And Kate is 
still out — looking — looking — looking — for what she never 
will find out there! And the prize will be mine this 
time, — all mine! [Pause] I wonder why it doesn't make 
me feel any happier than it does ! 

Ora [off R.]. Coming, Hester? 

Hester. Yes. [Exits R. — In a moment, prelude of song be- 
gins softly off R.] 

Susan enters L. 

Susan. Eight o'clock and not no Miss Kate yet, nowhere! 
And not no boys, neither, what them girls would care none 



22 THE PRIZE ESSAY 

to see ! There should ought to be at least one boy in this 
here class. I 'm jest going to use that talk- 'phone, a little, 
and scare some of them up. I '11 get hold of some of them 
nice boys what go to High School. The girls like them 
there fellows, 'cause they know how to behave nice, like 
boys should ought to act. I '11 go right now while the girls 
be singing. [Exits L.] 

Class Song, or any preferred chorus is sung off B. 
Kate enters during singing of last chorus. 

Kate. The girls here already, and singing ! It must be later 
than I thought. And my essay ! Oh, my essay ! It is 
lost ! — lost ! — lost ! [Sinks in seat. Dramatic pause] Well, 
I won 't let it spoil my evening. No, I won 't ! I will just 
have faith to believe whyever and however it happened, 
it must work out for the best, some way. I must bear my 
loss with honor, remembering how nobility obliges those 
of us who are of high rank to manifest our own greatness. 
I wonder who '11 win the prize ! Hester, probably ! Well, 
I sincerely hope it will make her happy, and do the good 
I would have tried to have had it do for me if I had won it. 

Susan [off L. angriljj]. I tell you, you can't never come in 
noways. You jest ain't never a-going to see them girls! 

Carrie [off L.]. But I must, I say! 

Kate [rising eagerly]. The gypsy ! 

Carrie [still off L.]. I tell you I have something important 
to tell the young lady who just came in. 

Susan. Miss Kate ? You shan 't see her ! 

Carrie. I must ! I shall ! I followed her for blocks, but she 
hurried so fast, I could not catch her. 

Susan. She shan't be stole again, noways. 

Carrie. Stole? She was never stolen ! You're crazy! I just 
want to tell her something she will want so bad to hear. 
It won't take me but a moment. 

Susan. But I say you can't never — 

Kate [ru7is to door] . Do let her come, Susan ! Oh, do let her 
come! Maybe she knows — 



I 



THE PRIZE ESSAY 23 

Carrie enters L. 

Carrie. Yes, I do know, Miss. Up in your room, behind the 

bed, under the edge of the rug, — run ! — look ! — quick ! 
Kate. What? My room? Bed? Eug? Oh, let me see! Let 

me see! [Buns out C] 
Siisan [grimly]. I'm a-going to stay right straight here and 

keep an eye on you, that you ain't a-stealing nothing, 

noways. 
Carrie. I don't know as I blame you, but I don't want a 

single one of your pretty things. 
Susan. O dear ! If there was only jest one boy in this here 

class! But I've jest been 'phoning for some, and they'll 

be right over. Then I guess you'll get a move on yourself ! 
Carrie. Can't I see the young ladies and tell their fortunes? 
Susan. No, sir, you can't! You — 
Kate [off C. calls]. Susan! Susan! 
Susan. Yes, Miss Kate. [Exits C] 
Kate [still off C.]. Run to the school, quick, and give this to 

Miss Norton. She'll be in the office till half past nine. 

But you must be sure and be there before then, or it will 

be too late. Get your cloak, and run ! — run ! — run ! 
Susan. I'll get there if I run my two feet plumb off, Miss 

Kate. 
Kate [still off C.]. And now I must change my dress for the 

reception. 

Hester enters R. 

Hester. Why! You here? Like this? 

Carrie. Yes, I didn't want to miss all the fun. I followed 

Kate till too late to get with the crowd, and — 
Hester [looking apprehensively B.]. 'Sh! 
Carrie. I tell you, Hester, I'm mighty sorry I got into this, 

and — 
Hester [as before]. 'Sh! Do keep your mouth shut! Your 

croaking makes me sick. 
Carrie [scornfully] . Humph ! Better 'phone to a doctor right 



24 THIJ PRIZE ESSAY 

away. It might be dangerous. That kind of disease is apt 

to strike in. And I just — 
Hester [as before]. 'Sh ! They're coming. Now, for good- 
ness sake, — and my sake, — be careful what you say, and 

get out of here as soon as you can ! 
Carrie. Yes, yes, I understand perfectly. I can do your dirty 

work for you, and lose my fun at the reception, while 

you can dress up in all your finery, and — [Girls laugh 

off B.] 
Hester [very nervously]. Oh, do hush! 

Carrie turns away, muttering to herself, as 
girls re-enter R. 
Joy. Oh, here is the gypsy ! 
Ora. Good ! Now the rest of you can have your fortunes told. 
All. Good! Good! 

Carrie [glancing uneasily at Hester]. But I was just going — 
Marie. Oh, not till you tell our fortunes, please, good gypsy. 
Ella. We are going to graduate, you know, and we want to 

know our future so badly. 
All [crowding around Carrie]. So badly! 
Carrie. Well, just a minute, then. [Takes Marie^s hand] 

You, little lady, I see in a big office, — much business, — 

good work, — very busy all day. 
Ella [extending her hand]. And me? 
Carrie. You, I see, — a nurse, — with little children who love 

you, — many children, — much love. You not strong, little 

lady, — frail, — delicate, — need much love. Then you get 

strong,^0 very strong, — yes ? 
Ella. I hope so, I'm sure. 
Clara. And now, what for me? 
Carrie. You, too, I see in big office, — much write, write, 

write, — figure, figure, figure, — busy, busy, busy, — many 

letters, — many books. 
Clara. Come on, Hester, you're next! 
Hester. No, Clara, I don't think I want mine told. 
All. Oh, come on. 
Hester. But T don't want — 



TEE PRIZE ESSAY 25 

Carrie. Oh, better let me see your hand, lady. It won't take 
but a minute. [Hester reluctantly gives hand] Ah! I 
fear you will come to some bad end. I see — 

Hester [snatching hand away]. That will do. The idea of 
you girls listening to such nonsense ! 

Kate enters C. 

Kate. O girls, I am so happy ! 

Hester [aside in consternation] . Happy ! 

All [crowding around her]. Kate ! Kate! 

Ora. But where have you been, Kate? 

Kate. Looking for my essay. 

Joy. And did you find it ? 

Kate. I did. 

Hester [in .ill-concealed chagrin]. You did? 

Kate. Sure, I did. And Susan Avent to take it to Miss Morton 

quite a little Avhile ago. 
All [except Hester]. I'm so glad! 
Ora. But where did you find it, Kate ? 
Kate. Well, sir, in my very own room, under the rug. 
Hester. But how did you ever think to look there ? 
Kate. Why, this dear old gypsy told me — 
All [except Hester]. What? 
Hester [to Carrie]. You? You traitor! 
Carrie. Yes, — I! [Throwing off disguise, disclosing ordinary 

school dress] . I told her ! 
All [astonished]. CARRIE! 
Carrie. Yes, Carrie! And I told her. 
Kate. But Carrie, how did you know? 
Ora. And how in the world did it get there ? 
Carrie [pointing to Hester]. Ask /^^r. 
All [looking at Hester, who hangs head]. Hester? [Carrie 

nods] 
Kate [gently]. What did you know about it, Hester? 
Hester [after p)ainful pause]. I — I — O Kate, I wanted the 

prize so much, — I — I — I hid your essay when I was in 

your room this morning, and you left me alone while you 



26 THE PRIZE ES^AY 

went to the telephone, — don 't you remember ? [Kate nods 
slowly] And I scared poor Carrie into sending you off 
on that wild-goose chase, so you'd be gone from home too 
late to get your paper to Miss Norton on time even if you 
could find it. 

All [reproachfiillif]. Hester! 

Hester. Probably you won't believe me, Kate, — nor any of 
you, — but I 'm ever so sorry. I 've been sorry ever so many 
times to-day, but I was too stubborn to give it up when T 
got started, and — and — Kate — I do really hope you will 
get the prize. I wouldn't accept it if thy offered it, now. 
Won't you forgive me? 

Kate. Why, of course, Hester. I don't blame you a bit for 
wanting the prize. Su^-ely, I forgive you. 

Came. And me too, Kate? 

Hester. Yes, Kate, please. Carrie didn't want to help me a 
bit. I just had to scare her into it after she found out 
that it wasn 't to be just a joke. At first, I made her think 
that it was only a little fun. 

Kate. Of course I forgive you, Carrie. You helped me to find 
my essay, and I can never be grateful enough to you for 
that. 

Joy. And all the rest of us will forgive you too, Carrie, for 
we had the fun of having our fortunes told by a real live 
gypsy. [All laugh] Well, didn't we, girls? 

All. Sure. 

Kate. Well, girls, I don't need to have my fortune told. I 
have to-day definitely decided what my future is to be. 

All [eagerly]. ^ What? 

Kate. I 'm going to be an author. 

All. An author ? 

Kate. Yes, — perhaps a poet. Anyway, I shall write books. 

Ora. Kate, how lovely ! 

Joy. Isn 't it ? 

Ella. Won 't she write perfectly lovely stories ! 

Clara. And won 't she just do a whole lot of good ! 

Marie. And won 't everybody love her ! 



THE PRIZE E>SfASfAr 27 

Kate. But, girls ! Girls ! It is not to be lovely and sweet, 
and to have everybody love me that I have made up my 
mind to this, — no, — not even to do just a lot of good; 
because we can do that, you know,- in every walk of life, 
when we once resolve to follow the Golden Rule. I had a 
deeper reason than any of these, — 

All [eagerly]. What? 

Kate. To live up to our motto: to live my life every day — 
every hour — yes, every minute of it, demonstrating 
''Noblesse oblige" — putting into active use the nobility 
God has given me, and the teachers have worked so hard 
to develop in me. 

Joy. But why you, more than others, Kate ? 

Kate [gravely] . We who are better equipped than others for 
the battle of life by either birth or breeding— yes, or even 
in brain or brawn — have a duty to our friends, and to the 
world that we are under obligations to fill. "Noblesse 
oblige!" This shall be my motto through life, and my 
mission to all humanity. 

All. Dear Kate ! 

Kate. And now girls, let's — 

Susan e7iters suddenly L., Jiolding door open, and looking 
hack smiling. 

Susan. Come right in, boys! 

Girls jump up, and look toward door in surprise and 
expectation. Bold poses for — 

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